5 Best Practices Any Father Can Do

This past Sunday I was driving to my church and noticed another church’s sign along the way.  It was clearly left over from the previous Father’s Day Sunday (which is a problem in itself) and said “Be A Great Father.  Just Show Up”.  I admit that this would be a huge step up for many dads in our society.

However, has the bar for being a great father been lowered so much that “just showing up” is the new standard of excellence?

Here’s my problem with the statement - just showing up is completely subjective.  I know a father who has recently left his family and thinks he’s doing a great job because “he is showing up to all the soccer games” and he sees the children every other weekend.  The world will also tell you that a child who lives “where there is love in the home” is enough. 

Both statements are functionally inaccurate because proximity is not the measuring stick for being a great father.  Sacrificial and servant leadership underscored by direction and intentionality is.

I have been a father for 12 years now and haven’t done everything right.  None of us have.  However, there are things I have stumbled upon in the dark that I would like to pass on to my fellow fathers.  Regardless of your religious beliefs, the following are 5 best practices that any father can do to improve their influence and the quality of their children’s lives.

1. Enjoy meals together.  This communicates that the family unit deserves attention and requires priority.
2. Take walks or drives with your children individually.  This provides uninterrupted conversation and focus.
3. Take 5-10 minutes and tuck them into bed at night.  This allows you in a peaceful environment to say “Tell me about your day.“ 
4. Take a real interest in their interests.  I have watched literally hundreds of hours of Disney and Hannah Montana.  This investment gives you permission to later take an interest in things that are much more important like the opposite sex, drugs, etc….
5. Finally and most importantly, love their mother.  This provides security now and helps formulate their worldview regarding adult relationships later.

Fathers, no matter where you are in life you can practice priority, focus, peace, selflessness and sacrificial behavioral patterns.  Try these and watch the difference it makes in your children’s lives.  Guys, if I can do this, anyone can.